Self-propelled vehicle.



A. H. C. GIBSON.

SELF PROPELLED VEHICLE.

ILED mun. m4. RENEWED Patented July 25, 1916.

4 snsns SHEET 1.

Patented July 25, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2 A. H. C. GIBSON.

SELF PROPELLED VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED .IAN.2I, 19H. RENEWED DEC. 24, 1 915.

Pzitented July 25, 1916;

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3 A. H. C. GIBSON.

SELF PROPELLED VEHICLE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2}, I914. RENEWED DEC.24,1915- 1,192,515, Patented July 25,1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

amm ntoz UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR HUGO CECIL GIBSON, OF NEW YORK, 11. Y., ASSIGNOR TO AUTO-FEDCOMPANY OF AMERICA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 25, 1916.

Application filed January 21, 1914, Serial N 0. 813,376. RenewedDecember 24, 1915. Serial No. 68,582.

c To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR HUGO CECIL GIBsoN, a subject of the King ofGreat Britain, and a resident of New York city, county and State of NewYork, have in? yented certain new and useful Improvements inSelf-Propelled Vehicles, of which the following is a specification,reference being had to the drawings herein referred to, which are made apart hereof.

My invention relates to' self-propelled vehicles, and more particularlyhas the object of producing the smallest and lightest vehicle forpractical use for the transportation of persons.

In the particular form in which I have shown my invention in theaccompanying drawings, the embodiment consists of two small wheelspreferably carrying pneumatic tires, and having a platform between the'wheels adapted for a person to stand upon.

A motor propels one of the wheels, and one of the wheels is adapted tobe deflected for steering, or when the vehicle is tilted to deflect itscourse. The platform is preferably as low as possible allowing onlysufficient clearance from the ground to avoid obstacles, and as shown isbelow the center of the wheels. A bar or rod extends upwardly but ispreferably hinged so that it may be folded down substantially to themain frame or platform. This upright is attached to the frame or wheelso that it is laterally stifl" or rigid, in order that it may be used tolaterally tilt the vehicle or hold it upright, and I therefore call it astabilizing bar. I arrange for the upright to be tilted back and forthand b suitable connections effect the control 0 the engine ortransmission, or both; and may by twisting the upright effect thesteering.

As the object and the construction of my vehicle are so totallydifferent from other self-propelled vehicles, I have designated it bythe name Autoped,-as in many respects it is simply to take the place ofwalking, by g the front wheel showing the brake and clutchv control andconnections; Fig. 6 is a horizontal section of the rear wheel andframeconnection; Fig. 7 is a modified form of clutch and brakearrangement and connections; Fig. 8 is a detail showing the springoperating mechanism of the clutch band of the construction shown in Fig.7.

In the figures, A is a frame and platform, B is a front driving andsteering Wheel, C is the rear wheel, D is the stabilizing upright whichin this form is hollow and serves as a fuel reservoir, EE are handles totwist the upright or stabilizing bar for steering.

In Fig. 1 the stabilizing bar is shown folded down as it would be whenthe vehicle is not in use and is required to occupy the least possible sace for storage, and at such times the hand e bars E-E may be foldeddown or collapsed, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, while the twosides. of the platform shown at A A, Fig. .2, may be folded up asindicated by dotted lines; and when so collapsed the vehlcle occupiesthe very minimum space possible and may be carried or stored withfacility, constituting a compact oblong package without projectingparts.

- At the forward end of the stabilfiiing bar is a joint F shown indetail in Fig. 4.

The motor G has a cylinder and crank case formed integral with asteering head H, so that through the steering hea and engine casing orengine frame, the crank shaft is supported in the place of an ordinaryaxle or hub and also carries the transmission earing having a casing J,which, as shown, IS the usual system of planetary gearlng, but which maybe modifiedto suit any special design. "About the gearing casing is aband K which servesfor braking and clutching, bein anchored to theengine casing at the pin Ii and operated through a not On the side ofthe front wheel oppos1te the engine is a fly wheel L,- the flangeor webM of the Wheel proper being between the fly wheel and the transmissioncasing and 'carrying a tire flange or rim N.

For convenlence of mounting and dismounting the small tires, these tireshave secured tothem a rim 0, adapted to. receive a bolt to lock it tothe rim N, thereby afiording a very cheap, simple and secure means forreplacing the tires.

As shown in Fig. 6 the rearward projection from the platform extends onone side of the rear wheel only, so that the hub and wheel can bereadily detached for replacement, repair or packing.

The preferred form of clutching and braking mechanism is shown in Fig.7, in which band K, in two parts, is held together at the pivot K" bymeans of a spring P which is madeof such strength and such shape as toforce the ends of the brake'band K together against pivot K, which ashere shown is in the form of-a tappet, and when the position of thistappet permits it, the spring P will clamp the band around the casing Jof the transmission and thereby hold the planetary transmission casingso that the gearing operates and drives the front wheel B1n whichpositoin the band K acts as an operatin clutch. This is effected-whenthe stabilizing bar D is in the position indicated by I, Fig. 7.

When it is desired to release the clutch the stabilizing bar D is movedto the position II, in Fig. 7, and when moved to position III, theconnections Q cause the pivot K to turn, thereby expanding the ends ofband K and engaging the inner side of rim N on the wheel,whereby thebrake is applied to retard the vehicle or stop it.

In the construction shown in Fig. 7, the pivot K is actuated through itsrock-arm K, by means of a connecting rod Q having an 'extensiblyyielding spring connection with a bell crank X, the latter being pivotedon the yoke of the front wheel frame. A-cam W on the stabilizing bar Dco-ac ts with the cam-arm of the bell-crank X, and a spring q premesthis cam-arm against the cam.

As shown in Fig. 5 a cam W with its projections arranged reverselyrelatively to the cam W shown in Fig. 7, and operating connections Qwhich yield in the direction .of thrust, and a double toggle lever onthe pivot K, linked to the ends of the brake-band K, actuate thebrake-band so that when the stabilizing bar is dropped down to theposition III, the brake is applied by the thrust of the cam-spring q,and when the stabilizing bar D is moved up to the position I the-.

gear casing J is clamped and held by the brake-band K, therebyoperatively connecting the engine and driving wheel, this operatlonbeing effected by the thrust of the cam W. Thus in the constructionshown in Fig. 7 the thrust of the cam W applies the cam W operates theclutch. In both constructions any further downward movement of thestabilizing bar D beyond the position III, as when folding thestabilizing bar down as shown in Fig. 1, has no further efl'ect. Theparts are shown in Figs. 5 and 7 in the intermediate or neutralpositions corresponding to the position II of the stabilizing bar D, theclutch being open and the brake off. The pivoting of the bellcrank Xupon the yoke of the front wheel frame is particularly shown in Fig. 4.

In the joint shown in Fig. 4 a small hole R through thefitting of theend of the bar D serves to carry gasolene or other fuel from the hollowstabilizingbar to the center of the pivot F, where a plug S has a slotin one side which connects with a central hole and to a pipe T, carryingfuel to the carburetor. A small spring Uis held against the plug S by acap V, engaging the plug by means of an Oldham couplin so that a tightjoint is preserved between tfie plug and the joint end of the barextension to insure connection belizing bar D passes beyond the positionIII, I

the hole R is closed by the plug, thereby automatically shutting off thegasolene supply when the stabilizing bar is folded down and the vehicleout of use.

In general, this is a further developmentv of my invention, as set forthin application filed July 26, 1913, Serial No. 781,297. I

have herein sought to further simplify the construction and make 'itmore compact, light and cheaper to construct.

By using the engine casing or engine frame to support the elementscollocated with the engine, as well as to carry the steering anddrivinggwheel I effect a large reduction in weight and producecompactness while this particularly; ,permits a very narrow transverseextent of the machine when not used. To still further reduce the widthwhen the machine is housed or stored I arrange to fold up the sides ofthe platform and fold down the steering handles by providing joints inany known manner. The method of mounting each wheel and frame connectingit will be noted, permitting me to remove the tires from the side ofeither the driving 'or trailing wheel, without \disconnecting any otherpart of the mechanism, which is an entirely new feature in two wheelsingle track vehicles, because as heretofore constructed forks have beenused straddling the wheels.

Many of the-details of construction as shown are novel in themselves asfully apindependently of the others,-

while some of these elements may be used and various features and theirarrangement may be changed without departing from my invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

1. In a self-propelled vehicle, in combination, two wheels in tandem, anengine for driving one of said wheels, a shaft forming an axle for saiddrive wl'ieel, said engine having a frame supported on said axle, avehicle frame on which the other Wheel is mounted, said engine framehaving a pivotal steering connection with said vehicle frame, a platformon said vehicle frame for the rider tostand upon, and a stabilizingupright at the forward end of said vehicle frame.

2. A self-propelled vehicle adapted to carry a person-standing thereon,such vehicle comprising two wheels in tandem, a drop frame between saidwheels, an engine, said engine having a frame supporting one of 7 saidwheels and connected to one end of said drop frame, a substantiallyupright stabilizing bar, and connections with said drop frame forholding said bar laterally rigid.

3. A self-propelled vehicle adapted to carry a person standing thereon,such vehicle comprising two wheels in tandem, an intermediate frame, aplatform on said frame in close proximity to the plane of the lowestpoints of the vehicle, an engine for driving one of said wheels, theengine having a frame connected to one end of said intermediate frame,and transmission mechanism supported by said engine frame substantially.within said driving wheel.

4. A self-propelled vehicle adapted to carry a person standing thereon,such vehicle comprising wheels in tandem one of substanti inecting theengine to the driving wheel, the

which is a driving Wheel, an intermediate frame, a platform on saidframe at a level a ly below the centers of the wheels, an engine,transmission mechanism for conengine having a frame supporting thedrivin wheel'on the intermediate frame, a combined brake and clutchmechanism co6perative with the driving wheel and 'with the transmissionmechanism, and-acontrol bar at the forward end of said frame mounted forsubstantially forward and back move- -ment for operating said brake andclutch mechanism. 7

5. In a vehicle, in combination, two wheels 'in tandem relation, anintermediate frame supporting one of the Wheels, the other 1 wheel beinga steering wheel, and a steering frame for the steering wheel located onone side only of the steering wheel and pivoted on the intermediateframe. 6.- In a vehicle, in combination, two wheels in tandem, and anintermediate frame liav- Ling a projecting wheel-supporting extensionlocated at one side only of the wheel which it supports.

7. In vehicle, in combination, a frame, a road wheel, and means forsupporting the wheel on the frame located at one side only of the wheel,the wheel having a tire-supporting rim provided with a flange at oneside only adjacent to the wheel-supporting means, whereby the tire maybe removed from or placed upon said wheel rim from the other sidethereof and without detachment of any other parts.

8. Ina self-propelled vehicle, in combination, two wheels in tandem, anengine for dx fiving one of said wheels, said engine havi g a framesupported on the driving wheel and having a crank shaft concentric Withthe axis of the driving wheel, a vehicle frame on which the other wheelis mounted,

said engine frame havin a pivotal steering connection with said veh cleframe, a platform on said vehicle frame for the rider to stand upon, anda stabilizing upright at the forward end of said vehicle frame.

9. A self-propelled vehicle having, in

combination, a forward driving and steering Wheel, a rear wheel, anintermediate frame, an engine for driving the forward wheel, anarticulated stabilizing and control bar ex- ..tending from the forwardend of the frame and having controlling movement on its articulation andadapted to be folded when the vehicle is not in use, transmissionmechanism for the engine controlled by said bar,

11. A self-propelled vehicle adapted to carry a person standing thereon,such vehicle comprising two wheels in tandem, an intermediate framefaplatform on said frame in close proximity to the plane of the lowestpoints of the vehicle, an engine for driving one of said wheels, saidengine having a frame connected to one end of said intermediate frame,said engine framebeing supported on the driving wheel and the en gine.having a crank shaft concentric with the axis of the driving wheel,transmission mechanism for connecting the crank shaft of the engine tothe drivingwheel, a combined brake and clutch mechanism cooperative withthe driving Wheel and with the transmission mechanism, and a'control barat the forward end of the intermediate frame mounted for substantiallyforward and back movement for operating said brake and clutch mechanism.

12. In a self-propelled vehicle, in combination, twowwheels' in tandem,an interme-' diate, frame, an engine for driving one of said wheels andhaving its crank shaft concentric with the axis of the driving wheel,transmission mechanism for connecting the crank shaft of the .enginewith the driving wheel, a combined brake and clutch mechanismcooperative with the driving wheel and with the transmission mechanism,and a control bar at the forward end of the intermediate frame mountedfor substantially forward and back movement for operating said'brake andclutch mechanism.

13. A self-propelled vehicle having, in combination, a driving wheel, anengine, transmission mechanism for connecting the engine to the drivingwheel, a combined brake and clutch mechanism cooperative with thedriving wheel and with the transmission mechanism, and a hinged controlbar movable to different positions'for operating said brake and clutchmechjnism,

wheels in tandem one of which is a steering wheel, a foldable steeringand stabilizing bar, and foldable handle bars carried by the steeringand stabilizing bar.

15. In a vehicle, in combination, two wheels in tandem one of which is asteering wheel, an intermediate frame, a backwardly foldable steeringand stabilizing bar hinged at the front of the frame, laterallyprojecting foldable handle bars on the steering and stabilizing bar, anda platform having-sections mounted on the intermediate frame to foldupward.

- 16. In a self-propelled vehicle, in combi nation, two wheels intandem, an intermediate frame, an engine fordriving qne of said wheels,.said engine having 'a framepivoted on the intermediate frame forsteering movement and supported on the driving wheel which is also asteering wheel, the engine having a crank shaft concentric with the axisof the driving wheel, transmission mechanism supported by the engineframe substantially within the peripheral portions of the driving wheel,and a steering and stabilizing member connected to the engine 14. In avehicle, 1n co'nbinatlon, two

frame;

In testimony whereof, I have signed my.

name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribingwitnesses, this 1 9" day of January; 1914. V

ARTHUR HUG CECIL GIBSON. Witnesses:

H. D DABUnY, H. MUOHMORE.

. Copies of this patent may be obtained for live cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington. D. C."

